ONEIDA >> With the help of the new certified nursing aids and some Oneida High School vocalists, residents in the choral program at the Oneida Healthcare Extended Care Facility got a chance to share their holiday spirit on Dec. 12 with their fellow residents.

Overall, there were around 25 residents who participated week after week, taking lessons from Oneida graduate Amanda Yeoman. Yeoman graduated from the Crane School Music and is now pursuing a master’s degree at Syracuse University.

Yeoman, along with other volunteers and staff, ran the program on Wednesdays to encourage breathing and motor skills.

“The saying ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’ is very true,” said speech-language pathologist Dana D. Hogan. “For our choral singers, a noticeable improvement has been made to their vocal loudness and oral-motor precision.”

Advertisement

Residents also use shakers and bells to help maintain motor skills.

“This is such a great inter-generational program as well,” Ellen Wartella said. “It gave our new nurse’s aids, CNAs, residents and some local high school students a chance to get to know each other and socialize.”

Oneida High School junior Griffin Smith was one of the six male vocalists from Oneida High School who came to sing with residents. He said he was more than happy to help.

“One of my friends asked me to help out,” Smith said. “I thought it was a nice program. I like being able to sing and bring joy to resident’s lives.”

The group sang a number of holiday favorites, including “Away in a Manger” and “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.”

“I really enjoyed the chorus program,” said resident Fred Jackson. “I’d like to see us do this every year. It gives us all something to do during the week other than play bingo or cards every once in a while.”

Helen Halt said it reminded her of when she used to sing alto when she was younger.

Wartella said the choral program is something ECF will be continuing, and it’s something the residents all seem to enjoy.

About the Author

Until December, 2014, Nick will was a staff writer at the Oneida Daily Dispatch. Hailing from Madison. Nick is a 2012 SUNY Plattsburgh graduate. In his time at The Dispatch, he focused on education, history and community events coverage in Madison and Southern Oneida counties. Reach the author at nwill@oneidadispatch.com
or follow Nick on Twitter: @DispatchNick.